Criminal Justice System

Julian Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what research his Department has  (a) undertaken and  (b) evaluated on the treatment in the criminal justice system of people who are on the autistic spectrum.

Crispin Blunt: The Ministry of Justice has not undertaken any specific research, nor evaluated any specific treatment of people who are on the autistic spectrum in the criminal justice system. However, offenders are known to have a higher level of needs across a wide range of conditions than the general population, and recently, the department has undertaken a survey of offenders in custody, and started a survey of offenders in the community, each including a range of emotional and other wellbeing questions. A report on the survey of offenders in custody will be published as part of a Reoffending Statistics Compendium on 4 November 2010. We are committed to working closely with our partners in the Department of Health and other departments to make sure offenders have access to appropriate treatment.

S4C: Finance

Wayne David: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales 
	(1)  what  (a) timetable has been set and  (b) arrangements have been made for future discussions with the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport on the future funding of S4C;
	(2)  whether she plans to meet the Welsh Language Society, Cymdeithas Yr Iaith Gymraeg, to discuss the future funding of S4C.

David Jones: My right hon. Friend has regular meetings with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport on a range of issues including S4C and Welsh broadcasting. My right hon. Friend and I will continue to monitor this situation closely.
	I will be meeting with members of Cymdeithas Yr Iaith Gymraeg shortly to discuss a range of issues, including the future funding of S4C.

Worship Grant Scheme

Wayne David: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if she will discuss with the Chancellor of the Exchequer the continuation in Wales of the Listed Places of Worship Grant scheme.

David Jones: No decision has yet been made on the future of the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme.
	As the scheme represents heritage spend, it would normally be a devolved matter. However, in this case, the devolved Administrations have assigned responsibility back to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) in the interests of a single UK-wide scheme.

Football

Bridget Phillipson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what plans he has to regulate the governance of the ownership of football clubs; what recent representations he has received on the role of supporters in the governance of such clubs; and if he will make a statement.

Hugh Robertson: My current priority for football is for England 2018 to win the football World cup bid.
	It is for the football authorities to run our national game but the Government will continue to encourage The Football Association, Premier League, and Football League to work closely together to improve its governance and regulation. This includes exploring better ways to involve supporters in their local clubs.
	I also continue to support the work of Supporters' Direct and have been particularly encouraged by a number of unique supporter plans to secure their involvement in their club.
	I look forward to seeing how these develop and will discuss the role of supporters again with the authorities in the near future to see what progress has been made.

Olympic Games 2012

Therese Coffey: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport which of Team GB's sporting teams  (a) have established and  (b) plan to establish training camps for the London 2012 Olympics outside Greater London.

Hugh Robertson: The British Olympic Association will provide a pre-games holding camp at Loughborough university and the British Paralympic Association at Bath university. However a number of sports have plans to create their own, bespoke holding camp solutions totalling two in greater London, 27 across the rest of the UK, e.g. Newport, and three overseas. A further 15 sports have yet to confirm their pre-games camp arrangements.

Pigs: Tuberculosis

Karl McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether contingency plans are in place for circumstances in which there is an increase in the incidence of tuberculosis in pigs; and what her policy is on active surveillance of pigs for that disease.

James Paice: Pigs are susceptible to infection with bovine TB, but are considered incidental spill over hosts and unlikely to play any significant role in maintaining the epidemic in cattle and wildlife in the UK. However, Animal Health do receive reports of sporadic incidents of TB in pigs, often in high cattle TB incidence areas where infection has come from cattle or wildlife.
	Surveillance for TB in pigs is based on routine post mortem meat inspection in abattoirs. In addition, TB in non bovine species is a notifiable disease under the Tuberculosis (England) Order 2007. Under the order, carcases of pigs (and any other farmed animal or pet) with, or suspected of being affected with tuberculosis, are notifiable to Animal Health. When TB is suspected, Animal Health can impose movement restrictions on herds to reduce the risk of spread of infection out of the herd. We work with the herd owner to agree appropriate surveillance regimes for their particular enterprise aimed at lifting the restrictions at the earliest opportunity and in the most cost effective manner. Occasionally this can involve a test and slaughter (of TB test positive animals) approach, while at other times Animal Health vets rely on routine meat inspection information.

Armed Forces: Housing

John Glen: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many housing relocations of serving military personnel have taken place in the last 12 months; and at what cost.

Andrew Robathan: The Ministry of Defence does not centrally hold the total number of military personnel relocated each year, nor the cost of these relocations.

Armed Forces: Uniforms

Lindsay Roy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of his Department's contracts for military garments has been placed with suppliers based in the United Kingdom in the last two years.

Gerald Howarth: The Defence Clothing Team, part of the Ministry of Defence's Defence Equipment and Support organisation, has placed 67 contracts for supply of military garments in the last 24 months. 58 of these have been placed with suppliers based in the United Kingdom (87%). Contracts are let in accordance with European Union Procurement Directives and Regulations which set out the law on public procurement. The Department's relationship is with the prime contractor who may choose to subcontract some or all of the manufacturing work to suitable companies worldwide.

Armoured Fighting Vehicles

Alison Seabeck: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether his Department's RWMIK vehicle platform has passed the NATO STANAG 4569 Level 2A test.

Peter Luff: I regret that I must withhold the information as its disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the armed forces.

Strategic Defence and Security Review

Robert Flello: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for  (a) Work and Pensions,  (b) Communities and Local Government,  (c) Business, Innovation and Skills and  (d) the Home Department on his Department's strategic defence and security review; and what assessment he has made of the implications of those discussions for the outcomes of that review.

Liam Fox: I have had a number of discussions with my Cabinet colleagues on the Strategic Defence and Security Review. The Review is being led by the new National Security Council on which the Home Secretary sits and the Minister for Business, Innovation and Skills has attended a number of times.
	These National Security Council discussions, will ensure that SDSR decisions are taken forward in a co-ordinated, pan-Government way.

Asylum

Bridget Phillipson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the system for allocating appointments for initial screening at the UK Border Agency Asylum Screening Unit in Croydon for those travelling from the North East; and whether alternative appointment times are made available for such people.

Damian Green: On 14 October 2009, the Asylum Screening Unit (ASU) in Croydon became the single, national site for anyone wishing to make an in-country application for asylum in the UK.
	An appointment system was introduced to manage effectively the flow of people into Croydon ASU. This offers applicants both choice and certainty on the specific date and time of their interview and is particularly useful for those who may need to travel some distance and who want to plan their journey. In those cases, where possible, applicants will be offered appointment slots to fit with their travel plans. The appointment system is monitored on a daily basis and can be adjusted as the number of applicants change.
	We also remain committed to dealing with vulnerable and destitute people on the day and so, alongside the appointment system, the ASU has retained a walk-in facility for all such initial applications.
	It is also recognised that there may be a small number of cases who, because of exceptional circumstances, are unable to travel to Croydon-this may include some unaccompanied asylum seeking children. In these cases alternative arrangements will be made to ensure such applicants can be screened locally and their claim processed.

Asylum: Children

Bridget Phillipson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which UK Border Agency offices provide child care when asylum seekers are being interviewed; and what plans she has for the future of that provision.

Damian Green: We are committed to ensuring that parents who are being interviewed about their reasons for seeking protection are not placed in the position of having to give an account of personal victimisation or humiliation in the presence of their children. In general, applicants are advised in their letter of invitation not to bring their children to the interview but to make alternative arrangements.
	For some families, child care will be easier to arrange-in London, for example, the majority of asylum applicants are able to reside with family and friends and as a result have a wider support network for child care. We do recognise, however, that this will not be possible for all families.
	At present, the only UK Border Agency building that provides child care facilities when a parent is being interviewed about their asylum claim is in the North West. Additionally, however, in the West Midlands, the UK Border Agency is currently in the final stages of discussions with the Children's Society and hope to be in a position to provide a supervised play facility for the dependents of interviewees by January 2011. If these facilities prove successful and cost effective, we will consider extending this approach to other offices.

Female Genital Mutilation

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department with reference to the answer to the hon. Member for Eastleigh of 13 October 2009,  Official Report, column 1872W, on female genital mutilation: prosecutions, what the nature of the anecdotal evidence was which suggested that the Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003 was helping to prevent the practice; what progress in tackling this issue has been made since the appointment of the cross-Government co-ordinator; and if she will make a statement.

Lynne Featherstone: The 2003 Act is intended to deter the practice of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and we understand that in some cases social services departments have used the existence of the Act to warn parents-before they travelled with their daughters to countries where FGM is practised-that they could be prosecuted on their return if FGM were carried out abroad. Following this, the girls concerned have returned home intact.
	Since the appointment of the cross-Government FGM co-ordinator, a number of initiatives have been implemented to improve the Government response to tackling FGM. These include:
	Action plan for 2010 developed following consultation with non-governmental organisations (NGOs), statutory agencies and professionals who have expertise in working on FGM. Actions include:
	Improving prevention of FGM by helping more people to understand what it is, the damaging consequences of it and where to access to help.
	Ensuring statutory agencies and other professionals know how to recognise potential victims of FGM and how to help them.
	Publicity campaign (March 2010) including a website:
	www.fco.gov.uk/fgm
	poster and leaflet, launched to raise awareness of FGM by helping people to understand the issue and its consequences as well as encouraging professionals and victims to seek support.
	FGM Partner Forum to enable stakeholders to provide challenge, ideas, support and guidance on the work and the key issues relating to FGM.
	Multi-Agency Practice Guidelines to assist practitioners handling cases of FGM. These guidelines are open for consultation at the website above. Following consideration of responses, we hope to publish these guidelines in spring 2011.

Khat

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent assessment she has made of the use of khat in the UK; what estimate she has made of the monetary value of khat imported in the last 12 months; and what recent representations she has received on its legal status.

James Brokenshire: In line with the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs' (ACMD) statutory duty under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, I have written to the ACMD asking for it to review the available evidence relating to the harms of khat and provide advice in relation to both control under Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 and a wider response. The British Crime Survey report "Drug Misuse Declared 2009/10" for the first time includes estimates of the prevalence of khat use in the general population. Preliminary findings (based on six months data) show that 0.2% of adults reported using khat in the last year. The Home Office commissioned two studies in 2009 to explore the social harms associated with khat use. The main and substantive research study "Perceptions of the social harms associated with khat use" is available at:
	www.homeoffice.gov.uk
	The second report, due to be published in November, is a review of the national and international literature examining the evidence on the social harms associated with khat and the impact of legislation in countries which have legislated against khat use and supply. No estimate has been made by the Home Office of the monetary value of khat imported into the UK in the last 12 months. No recent representations have been made on the legal status of khat.

Khat

Chuka Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent representations she has received on the social effects of the use of khat.

James Brokenshire: In line with the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) statutory duty under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, I have written to the ACMD asking for it to review the available evidence relating to the harms of khat and provide advice in relation to both control under Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 and a wider response. No representations have been made on the effects of the use of khat.

Nationality

Ian Davidson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applicants for nationality in categories requiring residency in the UK of five years were granted nationality following a period of permanent residency of fewer than five years in the most recent period for which figures are available; for what reasons the residency requirements were waived in such cases; and if she will make a statement.

Damian Green: Those avenues to British citizenship requiring five years residence (naturalisation under section 6(1) British Nationality Act (BNA) 1981 and registration under section 4(2) BNA 1981) include it as a mandatory requirement. The applicant must have been resident in the UK five years prior to applying. The answer is therefore, strictly, nil.
	However, up to 450 days absence from the UK is allowed during the five-year qualifying period and there is discretion available to overlook absences in excess of this level, within reason, in certain circumstances. The number of such cases could be obtained only by the detailed examination of individual case records at disproportionate costs.

Offshore Industry

Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what recent discussions his Department has had with the Health and Safety Executive on the safety of offshore deepwater drilling activities in the North Sea.

Charles Hendry: Regulation of offshore drilling activities with regard to safety falls within the responsibilities of the .Health and -Safety Executive, but there is ongoing and regular contact between the Department and the HSE on their respective areas of responsibility.
	There have been, and, as necessary, continue to be, discussions with regards to offshore deepwater drilling activities and HSE and DECC also work together as active members of the Oil Spill Prevention and Response Advisory Group (OSPRAG) which provide a focal point for the sector's review of the industry's practices in the UK in the light of the Gulf of Mexico incident, and the conclusions of investigations relating to that incident.

Bus Services

Bridget Phillipson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his policy is on the further implementation of statutory quality contracts for bus services; and if he will make a statement.

Norman Baker: The coalition agreement made clear that our focus will be on encouraging joint working between bus operators and local authorities. However, as the guidance related to quality contract schemes has been published in full, local transport authorities are perfectly entitled to consult residents on their plans to make use of the new regulations on bus quality contract schemes to improve local bus services for passengers as they see fit.
	The Competition Commission is currently conducting an inquiry into the local bus market following a referral from the Office of Fair Trading in January this year and the new regulations are within scope of its investigations. The Government therefore intend to wait for the outcome of the inquiry into the local bus market before deciding on the future of the current bus regulatory framework.

Coalfields

Angela Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government 
	(1)  if he will review the classification of areas as former coalfields for the purposes of ensuring that available resources are appropriately allocated;
	(2)  what his policy is on the future funding of former coalfield areas;
	(3)  when he plans to publish his response to the Coalfields Regeneration Review;
	(4)  whether he plans to implement the recommendation of the Coalfields Regeneration Review that the coalfields sites programme managed by the Homes and Communities Agency be brought forward.

Andrew Stunell: A decision will be made on future funding for coalfield areas once the outcome of the spending review is known.
	The Government intend to formally respond to the report in November. As part of the response we will consider the future of the Homes and Communities Agency National Coalfields sites programme, and the suggestion that the classification of coalfield areas should be reviewed. The response will be published on the Communities and Local Government website.
	The review of Coalfields Regeneration report, is available on the Communities and Local Government website at:
	http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/regeneration/reviewcoalfieldsregeneration

Coalfields

Angela Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what account he plans to take of the principle of localism in his response to the recommendations of the Coalfields Regeneration Review.

Andrew Stunell: Government intend to formally respond to the report in November. We will consider the principle of localism as appropriate in responding to the recommendations. The response will be published on the Communities and Local Government website.
	The review of Coalfields Regeneration report, is available on the Communities and Local Government website at:
	http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/regeneration/reviewcoalfieldsregeneration

Housing: Energy

John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what estimate he has made of the average cost per home of improving its energy efficiency rating from F or G to E or above.

Andrew Stunell: The Secretary of State has made no estimate of the average cost per home of improving its energy efficiency rating from F or G to E or above.
	The Energy Saving Trust has estimated that, of the total number of F and G properties in 2005, 37% can be improved to an E rating through basic insulation measures at a cost of £1,000 or less and 47% through installation of a modern condensing boiler at a cost of £3.000 or less. 15% of F and G rated homes, characterised as 'hard to make decent', will cost from £5,000 to £9,500 to improve to an E rating, leaving a small percentage (1.5%) costing up to £5,000 to upgrade.